06/05 - UPDATE: We received confirmation today from the NRA Program Coordinator, and all of the qualifications must be done in the same caliber (.22lr, 9mm, .40, .45, ...), and action (revolver, auto loader, ...) So if you start with .22lr Derringer, you need to finish it with .22lr Derringer or another .22lr with the same action. However, if you have a malfunction we can switch guns as long as its the same caliber.

07/26 - Update: A link to the printer template for the certificates has been added to the bottom of this post.

Whether you just purchased your first pistol, or you're a seasoned shooter, the Winchester/NRA Marksman Qualification has something for everyone. The NRA Basic Pistol & Defensive Pistol Qualification Courses provide the perfect self-paced shooting activity to help develop your skills and reward your achievements. You can shoot on your own or at the Monthly Chapter Shooting events you'll be able to purchase target qualification packages which will provide you with all of the targets required to earn a particular qualification plus a couple of extras, and the corresponding certificate packages once you've earned rank.

In summary, participants will be able to earn patches, rockers, pins, and certificates of achievement for completing established set courses of fire for a given discipline. You'll be able to work your way up from Marksman to Expert, and even nationally recognized achievement of Distinguished Expert. So come one, come all, challenge your friends, family, enemies, and fellow Calgunners and see what it who has got what it takes to be the best.
--
Basic Pistol Qualification
Basic Practical
- You must complete a certified NRA course to receive this rocker.
Pro-Markman
- Position: Benchrest, two hands.
- Distance: 15 feet
- Target: 9" Paper Plates
- Time: No Restriction
- Course of Fire & Rating Requirement: Shoot 10 plates with five shots on each plate. All shots must be inside a 1/2" margin from the edge of the plate. The 10 plates do not have to be fired in succession or on the same day.
Marksman
- Position: Standing, two hands.
- Distance: 15 feet
- Target: 9" Paper Plates
- Time: No Restriction
- Course of Fire & Rating Requirement: Shoot 10 plates with 10 shots on each plate. All shots must be inside a 1 1/2" margin from the edge of the plate. The 10 plates do not have to be fired in succession or on the same day.
Marksman First Class
- Position: Standing, two hands with strong and week side stages.
- Distance: 30ft (AP-1), or 15ft (AP-2)
- Target: NRA AP-1 or AP-2 precision target.
This is conducted in two stages. Both stages must be completed in one session to qualify as one completed course of fire.
(1.) Strong Side - Five targets with 10 shots each in 6 minutes.
(2.) Weak Side - Five targets with 10 shots each in 6 minutes.
*A total of 10 shots per target. Possible score per target 100.
- Course of Fire & Rating Requirement: Shoot 10 targets, 5 with a score of 46 or better, and 5 with a score of 56 or better. The ten targets do not have to be fired in succession or on the same day. So you cannot shoot all strong side one one day, and all week side on another.
Sharpshooter
- Position: Standing, ready, with two hands, and strong and week side stages.
- Distance: 30ft (AP-1), or 15ft (AP-2)
- Target: NRA AP-1 or AP-2 precision target.
This is conducted in two stages. Both stages must be completed in one session to qualify as one completed course of fire.
(1.) Strong Side - Five shots in 20 seconds.
(2.) Weak Side - Five shot in 20 seconds.
*A total of 10 shots per target. Possible score per target 100.
- Course of Fire & Rating Requirement: Shoot 10 targets, 5 with a score of 60 or better, and 5 with a score of 65 or better. The ten targets do not have to be fired in succession or on the same day. So you cannot shoot all strong side one one day, and all week side on another.
Expert
- Position: Standing, ready, one hand with strong and week side stages.
- Distance: 30ft (AP-1), or 15ft (AP-2)
- Target: NRA AP-1 or AP-2 precision target.
This is conducted in two stages. Both stages must be completed in one session to qualify as one completed course of fire.
(1.) Strong Side - Five shots in three minutes, and five shots in 10 seconds.
(2.) Weak Side - Five targets in three minutes, and five shots in 10 seconds.
*A total of 20 shots (10 per target). Possible score per target 200.
- Course of Fire & Rating Requirement: Shoot two times over the course with a minimum score of 130 or better and three times over the course with a minimum score of 150 or better. The number of courses does not have to be fired in succession or on the same day.
Distinguished Expert
Firing for the Distinguished Expert Rating must be witnessed by an NRA Member (with current ID number), or an NRA Instructor or Coach (with current ID number). The NRA Club# for CGSSA is "B89798".
- Position: Standing, ready, with two hands, strong and week side stages.
- Distance: 30ft (AP-1), or 15ft (AP-2)
- Target: NRA AP-1 or AP-2 precision target.
- Target Setup: AP-1: One target hung at 30ft with the top edge of the target at eye level. AP-2: One target hung a 15ft with the top edge of the target at eye level.
This is conducted in four stages; the four stages must be completed in the same session to qualify as one completed course of fire.
- Stage-1: 5 shots, strong side, 2 hands in 10 seconds.
- Stage-2: 5 shots, strong side, 1 hand in 10 seconds.
- Stage-3: 5 shots, weak side, 2 hands in 10 seconds.
- Stage-4: 5 shots, weak side, 1 hand in 10 seconds.
- Course of Fire & Rating Requirement: Shoot three times over the course with a minimum score of 145, and three times over the course with a minimum score of 170 or better. The number of courses does not have to be fired in succession or on the same day.
--
Target Packages
Pro-Marksman - $2.00 (12 9" Paper Plates)
Marksman - $2.00 (12 9" Paper Plates)
Marksman 1st Class - $6.00 (12 NRA AP-1 Targets)
Sharpshooter - $6.00 (12 NRA AP-1 Targets)
Expert - $6.00 (12 NRA AP-1 Targets)
Distinguished Expert - $6.00 (12 NRA AP-1 Targets)

I'm not sure what you mean. The program is in full swing, and we have paper plates, targets, and award packages for participants at every Burbank shoot. The shoots in Burbank are the last Friday of every month with the next one taking place on 4/26 @ 7PM.

Are there any requirements as to what type of firearm must be used, caliber, sighting system etc?

There are no caliber or firearm requirements, so .22lr pistol is a-ok, but most have been trying to use their HD guns. As for sights, no optics or ghost rings, but any other standard 3-dot sighting system will work. 2-dot express type sights are also OK.

Remember, you have to have a member of the NRA witness, time and score your Distinguished Expert Qualification. Chad's usually slammed at the shoot, so maybe you can ask another NRA member to witness your qualification. I will be out of town during the next Burbank shoot. Have fun and good luck.

when is the next shoot and where? I would very much like to give it a try I am an NRA member any info would be appreciated

We have been running this at the monthly Calguns shoot at the Firing Line in Burbank. The shoot occurs on the last Friday of the month. June's shoot was a week early due to the City of Los Angeles ammo sales ban of one week before the 4th of July. All are welcome to come shoot with us.

i had a question, im interested in going for pro-marksman and marksman. but on the nra site before pro marksman it says
basic practical: This rating is achieved by completing the practical exercise conducted during the NRA Basic
Pistol Course.
so does that mean that i have pay 100$ and take a 8 hr test before i do any shooting for the pro/marksman?

i had a question, im interested in going for pro-marksman and marksman. but on the nra site before pro marksman it says
basic practical: This rating is achieved by completing the practical exercise conducted during the NRA Basic
Pistol Course.
so does that mean that i have pay 100$ and take a 8 hr test before i do any shooting for the pro/marksman?

NO, attend the monthly shoot at Firingline every last friday on thr month, we have NRA Certified Instructors, RoundEye and PM720, in LA C3 Chapter, they will signed it and wont charge you.